It is not surprising that Switzerland is considered one of the most picturesque nations in the world, with its majestic Alpine peaks, picture-perfect villages, and prestigious sports resorts spread out throughout its valleys and slopes. Switzerland sightseeing, however, is best done by train! It is one of the top nations to travel around by train due to its beautiful landscapes and reliable train service. The little but breathtakingly gorgeous nation of Switzerland is best explored by rail. Switzerland's tourist attractions, and breathtaking landscapes, including lush valleys, thundering waterfalls, and towering mountain peaks, are all reachable by rail, and some of these routes are even ranked among the most beautiful in the world. If you are planning to cover the best tourist places in Switzerland, we have you covered with the most scenic train routes available. Keep reading to know more!
Golden pass Route
Travelling across six cantons, the GoldenPass roads in Switzerland link Lucerne and Montreux. If you are planning to get the most out of your Switzerland sightseeing, this is the route for you! Many interconnected train lines make the trip possible: the Luzern-Interlaken Express, the GoldenPass Panoramic from Montreux to Zweisimmen, and the section from Interlaken to Zweisimmen that passes by Lake Thun and offers views of Mount Niesen. This Alpine journey is further enhanced by the presence of two narrow-gauge trains, one at each end. After leaving Lucerne, the train will shimmy along Lake Sarnen's shoreline before climbing the 1,008-meter Brünig Pass. Interlaken is the adventure centre of Switzerland and the entrance to the Jungfrau area.
On the route, you may take in views of Lake Brienz flanked by towering Alps. As the train winds its way through the Gstaad area, it passes by Lake Thun and the Simme Valley. The last stretch of breathtaking scenery is a descent to Montreux via hills covered in vines.
Glacier Express
Get the best seat to the most breathtaking Switzerland tourist attractions with this route! The distinctive red and white Glacier Express, a narrow-gauge train affectionately called "the slowest express train in the world," serves the 294 km route between Zermatt and St. Moritz. The Glacier Express is a delightful experience due to its slow speed and the breathtaking Alpine landscape it passes over on its epic excursion. A few of the stops along the route that are visible from the train's panoramic windows include the Matter Valley's glacial mountain peaks, the Goms region's traditional wood chalets, Stockalper Palace, and the expansive wildness of the Oberalp Pass.
Bernina Express
The Bernina Express, with its panoramic crimson carriages, offers stunning vistas as it connects Chur and Poschiavo in Switzerland with Tirano in Italy over the Swiss Engadin Alps. Switzerland sightseeing has never been this easy! The Bernina and Albula lines, which make up the Bernina Express, were both designated as World Heritage Sites in 2008. At an impressive elevation of 7,391 feet above sea level, the Bernina Line passes through this location, making for a breathtaking four-hour ride that crosses 55 tunnels, 196 bridges, and the breathtaking Bernina Pass. From Chur to Pontresina, the Bernina Express initial segment also passes the world-famous Landwasser Viaduct, a limestone viaduct with six enormous arches that are both impressive and curved, carrying a single track. Even now, many people throughout the nation consider this legendary voyage to be among the best.
Gotthard Panorama
If Switzerland sightseeing in a historic vehicle is your cup of tea, this route is perfect for you! This 182-kilometre voyage starts in Lugano, in the Italian-speaking south of Switzerland, and it combines train and boat travel. Three castles that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site protect the ancient core of Bellinzona while the Gotthard Panorama Express (which is only available locally) winds its way north. The train swiftly makes its way towards Giornico, passing past vineyards and chestnut trees on its route to the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the longest and deepest rail tunnel in the world. Come to Flüelen for a holiday. We suggest taking a boat ride on Lake Uri, which is said to have been the birthplace of Switzerland in 1291. From there, you can choose to leisurely sail onto Lake Lucerne. Visiting Switzerland's tourist attractions has never been this simple!
The Jungfrau Route
Now, travellers with a penchant for adventure can reach Europe's highest train station—3,453 meters above sea level—via the historic Jungfrau railway line. The massive Monch and Eiger Mountains encircle the snow-capped Jungfrau Mountain; a section of the Jungfrau railway line passes through a tunnel cut into the side of one of these mountains, providing breathtaking vistas through intricately carved windows. On a clear day, you can see as far as the Black Forest in Germany and France from the peak, so be prepared to be amazed by the vistas when you get there. Among the attractions on top of the mountain are a café, a museum showcasing ice sculptures, a glacier trek, and what is supposedly the highest chocolate store in the world. Returning to the summit, the path passes via Lauterbrunnen, a charming hamlet with breathtaking waterfall views.